The Examiner
will walk around your car. He will take details of the make
and model on his driving test report sheet. The Examiner will
also check to see if the vehicle is roadworthy. He will check
for no broken lights, the windscreen wipers are in place,
the tyres comply with the legal requirements. Make sure you
don't have a dirty windscreen, in fact make sure that whole
car looks clean, ensure also that the 'L' plates are properly
displayed. If the Examiner is happy he will join you in the
car.
The
Practical Driving Test
The Examiner will tell you that he wishes you to follow the
road ahead unless traffic signs direct otherwise, or unless
he asks you to turn. You will be expected to know and act
on all traffic signs and signals, as well as signals given
by other drivers. Then he will ask you to drive away when
you are ready. Take proper precautions before starting the
engine this means, making sure that the handbrake is on and
the gear lever or selector (If driving an automatic) is in
neutral. Adjust the mirrors if necessary and if appropriate
look over your shoulder(s) before moving away
The Examiner
will be marking your performance on his sheet. You have to
avoid failure points if you are to pass your test. Throughout
the test the Examiner will be looking for reasonably smooth
use of the controls. So you are expected to Make proper use
of /accelerator/clutch/gears/foot brake/handbrake/steering.
During
the whole test the Examiner will be building up a picture
of your ability and common sense as a driver. The Examiner
will expect you to suit your speed to the road and traffic
conditions. You have to choose a proper speed for general
driving and when coming to corners, bends, junction, roundabouts
etc.
Mirrors
and signals have to be used correctly. The Examiner will be
checking that signals are given in good time and that the
correct signals are given. The Examiner will also be watching
to see how you deal with other road users. Show awareness
and anticipation of the actions of pedestrians/cyclists/drivers.
And you need to know how to Overtake/meet/cross the path of/other
vehicles safely
At junctions
the Examiner will be watching to see that you apply the M.S.M
routine. You have to know how to deal with different junctions.
Dealing with other road users means you must allow adequate
clearance to stationary vehicles
Every
test route includes a pedestrian crossing, so you have to
take appropriate action at pedestrian crossings.
The Examiner
will ask you to stop at various places during the driving
test. Whenever you stop, you should do so in a safe place.
The Examiner will not trap you by asking you to stop in a
illegal place, but you have to select a safe position for
normal stops. It will be after one of these "stops"
when the Examiner will ask you to do one of the many special
exercises. In one in three tests you will be required to stop
the vehicle in emergency/promptly/under control/making proper
use of brakes. The Examiner will show you what he intends
to do in order for you to stop quickly at his request, usually
this means that he will put is hand up in front of him and
say STOP.
You will
be asked to do 2 of the following 4 manoeuvres:-
Reverse
into a limited opening either to the right or left/under control/with
due regard for other road users. - The Reverse around
the corner
Turn round
by means of forward and reverse gears/under control/with due
regard for other road users - The Turn in the Road
Reverse
park in reverse gear/under control/with due regard for other
road users - Reverse Parking
Reverse
into a parking bay at the driving test car park - Bay
Parking
Once the
test is over you will either receive a PASS Certificate which
must be signed and sent to the DVLC in Swansea together with
your provisional driving licence which is surrendered when
a “Full” licence is issued. If you fail you will receive a
STATEMENT OF FAILURE form on which the Examiner will have
marked with a '\' or a 'X' or a 'D' or a 'XX'
'\' means
a minor fault, which does not result in an automatic failure.
However, if you comment more than 15 of these minor driving
faults you will FAIL.
'X' means a major fault, and a fail.
'D' means a Dangerous fault, and a fail
'XX' also means Dangerous fault. This will be used to replace
a 'D' when the results are computerised.
You will also be given another application form to apply for
your next test!
Data
Protection Act
At this
point the Examiner will ask you if you would like an explanation
of any faults that you have occurred. If you say. "Yes".
A debriefing will follow when the Examiner has asked you if
you want your Instructor to hear the debriefing with you.
If you allow your Instructor to listen to a debriefing then
it should be made clear to you, by the Examiner, that the
information is privileged to you under the Data Protection
Act and you have the right to exclude your Instructor from
the privileged information passed from the Examiner to you.
If you agree to your Instructor listening to the Examiners'
debriefing you waive your protective rights under the Data
Protection Act. The Examiner will make this clear to you.
Even if
your Instructor accompanies you on your Driving Test you retain
the right to exclude your Instructor from the debriefing that
the Examiner gives at the end of your Test. In other words,
you may ask your Instructor to leave the car before the debriefing
begins. If you decide to listen to the Examiner's debriefing
without your Instructor present then you may run the risk
of not fully understanding the Examiners wording.
Even if
you haven't passed, you will have learned a great deal. You
can build on these skills in order to pass next time. Decide
on what steps you can take to improve your technique and ask
your instructor for advice.
Pre-test
‘Advice’
